How to Use Alpha Cellulose in Scrapbooking

We make scrapbooks to preserve our memories. It is only natural that we want those memories to last forever. While forever may be a bit ambitious, there is no reason why your scrapbook can't last for generations when you use archival safe paper. Since the best paper for archiving is alpha cellulose, it pays to learn how to use this paper in your scrapbooking.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Alpha cellulose paper
• Scrapbook
• Acid-free scrapbooking products to use with the alpha cellulose paper

Use Alpha Cellulose in Your Scrapbooking

1. Know why alpha cellulose paper is used. The plant fibers in alpha cellulose paper are considered to be among the most stable and the strongest fibers used in paper manufacturing. Therefore, alpha cellulose paper is considered to ideal for uses in which permanence is desired.

2. Find alpha cellulose paper. This is a highly specialized kind of paper, and you are not likely to find it in your neighborhood grocery or department store. Crafts stores, scrapbooking stores and office supply stores are your best choices for finding alpha cellulose paper.

3. Make sure the label actually says "alpha cellulose." A ream of paper that is labeled "archival safe" or "acid free" is not necessarily made from alpha cellulose.

4. Be prepared to pay more. Since alpha cellulose is a premium quality paper, it costs more than lesser papers.

5. Use alpha cellulose paper just like you would any other paper in your scrapbooking. Alpha cellulose paper is higher quality paper, but it is still paper. There are no special instructions for using it.

Tips & Warnings

• Use only acid-free pens, markers and adhesives on your alpha cellulose paper. Not only will using acid-free products protect your photographs and artwork from damage, these products will also protect your alpha cellulose paper. It does no good to go to the time, trouble and expense of finding alpha cellulose paper if you risk damaging it by using products on it that aren't archival safe.
• Look for alpha cellulose paper in different colors and thicknesses. Just like regular paper, alpha cellulose paper comes in many varieties for different uses. From thin onionskin paper to thick card stock, you can find alpha cellulose paper to suit all of your needs if you are willing to look around a little bit for it.
• Avoid affixing photographs to any kind of paper other than alpha cellulose. The acids in lesser quality papers will gradually break down your photographs over the years, resulting in distortion, discoloration and even disintegration. Alpha cellulose paper will not have this effect on a photograph.